Telephone system



J. w| cKs TELEPHONE SYSTEM July 12, 1927. 1,635,805

Original Filed Feb. 24. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l UEUZUI'9' Jul-m Nicks July 12 1927. J WICKS TELEPHONE-SYSTEM Original Filed Feb. 24, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Inuszi UI" Jul-m 'hficks July 12 1927. WICKS TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed'Feb. 24, 1923 IS'Sheets-Sheet 3 4% John Mmks lw iw lj l lfi j Ti ,T w Er. Am 5 m T. TH v T 1 L m T l i T 1 I Vk..|.. lwlL rlp l L W FI L Film in m H H n Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WICKS, 01? OAK PARK,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY HESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AUTO- MATIC ELECTRIC INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application fled February 24, 1923, Serial No. 620,982. Renewed December 3, 1926.

The present invention relates in general to telephone systems in which connections may be established through the medium of subscriber controlled selector and connector switches. I

It sometimes occurs that a subscriber at a given substation may have occasion to call certain telephones at very frequent intervals, and when this is the case the customary operation of the dial may prove burdensome. The object of the invention is to provide means whereby the subscriber at a special substation may obtain connection with any one of a limited number of other substations as the result of merely depressing a single key, the means in no manner interfering with the ordinary operation of the telephone.

The above object is accomplished by providing, in addition to the usual dial, a key controlled impulse sending device at the special substation. A plurality of keys are provided, the operation of any key causing the impulse sending device to deliver the trains of impulses necessary to establish a connection to the called substation represented b the key.

The 0 ject of the invention will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 and 2 represent the equipment at the special substation, while Fig. 3 represents diagrammatically the automatic switches necessary to establish a connection from a calling to a called substation.

Referring to Fig. 1, the automatic substation A has the usual talking, signalling, and impulse sendinginstrumentalities.- In close proximity to the substation A- is mounted the lamp L, the emergency release key R, and the sending keys K. A sending key is provided foreach substation to which special service is desired.

Certain switch and relay'equipment is also located at the special substation, a relay such as R. R etc., being associated with each key K. Each R relay is'provided with a plurality of armatures, such as the armatures 16 to 20, inclusive, one armature being provided for each digit in the call number of a telephone in the system. For convenience in cross connecting, the working contact of each of the aforementioned armatures is connected to a punching or terminal P.

Referring to Fig. 2, the sending switch S and the se uence switch S are simple tenpolnt stepy-step switches, each of which s provided with a stepping magnet and a release magnet. The contacts in the bank of the sequence switch S are multipled to cor responding armatures of the R relays.

A bus-bar such as B, B etc., is provided for each of the first nine contacts in the bank of the sending switch S. Each bus-bar has a plurality of terminals in order to provide facilities for cross connecting with the punchings P.

The relay equipment F controls the operation of the sequence switch S and the sending switch S.

Referring to Fig. 3, the line switches C and C, denoted by dotted rectangles, may be assumed to be of the well-known rotary type. The selectors E, E and E which are denoted by dotted rectangles, may be assumed to be of the well-known vertical and rotary type. The connector H, shown in' part only, may also be assumed to be of the well-known vertical and rotary type. The" called ,.sub station A is similar to the substation A. i

The normal operation of extending a connection to substation A from substation A may be described as follows; it being assumed that the call number of substation A is 63006. When the receiver at substation A is removed, the line switch C operates to extend the connection to an idle first selector,- such as the selector E. The operation of the calling device for the first digit 6 will cause the selector E to raise its wipers opposite the sixth level of bank contacts, whereupon ,the selector will automaticall rotate in search of an idle trunk line eading to a second selector. In the same way the digit 3 will operate a second selector E, the digit 0 Y a third selector E and the digits 0 and 6 I switch S will be aesaaot more, the circuit to the stepping magnet 144 of the sending switch S is closed at armature 138. v I

As the first digit of the call number is. 6

vit follows that the cross connection must be such that the sixth contact in the bank of ounded. When the wiper of switch S reac es the sixth contact a circuit may be traced from grounded conductor 36, wiper 121 of sequence switch S in.

I first position, conductor 34, armature '16 and working contact, conductor 25, unching 40, 'umper 29, to bus-bar-B6, sixt contact in ank of switch S, wiper 122, relay 139 to battery. Relay 139, upon energizing, forms.

a locking circuit for itself independent of wiper 122, which may be traced from ground, working contact and armature 140, armature 141 and working contact, relay 139 to battery.

A further result of the energization of relay 139 is the opening of the circuit to relay 135 at armature 129. Thus, the impulsing will cease, as relay 135 cannot again energize when its circuit is again closed by the eenergization of relay 136. A still further result of the ener ization of relay 139 is the closure of a circuit through the release magnet 143 of switch S by way of armatures 142 and 151, whereupon the said release magnet operates to restore the wiper 122 to normal position. Relay 139 also closes the circuit of the step ipg magnet 145 of the sequence switch at armature 146, whereupon the stepping magnet operates to advance the wiperj121 to second position.

The foregoing operation has resulted in the sending of s1x impulses over the calling line. An explanation will now be given of the time interval necessary between series of impulses. When relay 139 operated it opened the ciicuit of slow-acting relay 130, which will now deenergize and open the circuit of slow-acting relay 131. Upon deeuergizing, relay 131 will openthe locking circuit of slow-acting relay 139. Relay 139, upon deenergizing, will open the circuit of release magnet 143 and step ing magnet 145. A further result of the eenergization of relay 139 is the closing of the circuit to relay 130 at armature 129, whereupon the cycle of operations is a ain started. The time" interval introduce by the deenergization of slow-acting rela s 130, 131, and 139 has been sufiicient to a low the selector to seek to' sixth position.

17 and its working contact, conductor 24, punching 41, jum r 28, to bus-bar B, third contact in bank 0 switch S, wiper 122, relay 139 to battery. Relay 139 will operate as before to stop the nnpulsing, to release switch S, to advance switch S to third position, and to introduce the necessary time interval between series of impulses.

The foregoing operation has resulted in 'the sending of three impulses over the calling line.

Since the next digit in the call number is 0 it is not necessary to cross connect punching 42, as the tenth contact in the bank of switch 1 S is permanently rounded. When the wiper of switch S reaches the tenth contact a circuit is closed through rela 139, whereupon the said relay operates as before to stop the impulsing, to release switch S, to advance the switch S to fourth position, and to introduce the usual time interval.

The foregoing operation has resulted in The sending of ten impulses over the calling As the fourth digit in the call number is also 0, the punching 43 is not cross connected, and the sender operates as before to line and will be grounded, When the wiper of switch S reaches the sixth contact in its bank a circuit may be traced from grounded conductor 36, wiper 121, conductor 30, armature 20 and its working contact, conductor 22, unching 44, 'umper 26, to bus-bar B, sixt contact in ank of switch S, wiper 122, relay 139 to. battery. Relay 139 will operate as before to stop the impulsin to release switch S, and to advance switc 1 S peration has resulted in {he sending of six impulses over the calling When the wiper of switch S' engages the sixth contact in its bank a circuit is closed from grounded conductor 36, wiper 121 in sixth position, relay 147 to battery. Relay 147, upon energizing, forms a locking circuit for itself, independent of the wiper 121, by way of armatures146 and 148. A further result of the energization of relay 147 is the closure of a circuit for release magnet 149 of switch S at armature 127, whereupon the switch S restores to normal position. A still further. result of the energization of relay 147 is the regrounding of the release magnet circuit of sending switch S at armature 151. Relay "147 also" removes ground from conductor 35 at armature 127, thus causing the deenergizat-ion *of relay R. Relay R, upon 'deenergizing, removes the The foregoing o bridge 128 from across the calling line, and also removes ground from conductor 36 at armature 3. Therefore, relay 130 cannot again energize when relay 139 completes the cycle of operations deenerglzing. The final deenergization 0 relay 139 will open the locking circuit of relay 147 and the circuit of stepping magnet 145. Relay 1-17, upon deenergizing, will open the c1rcuit of release magnets 143 and 14-9.

The operation of sendin a train of impulses representing the nuniber 63,006 Is now complete. and all relays of the impulse sending device are at normal except polar relay 121. It. may be assumed that the impulses so seat has resulted in extending the connection to the called substation A in the same manner as previously explained in connection with the dialling of the number 63,006. When the called party answers the polarity of the calling line will be reversed by the back bridge relay of the connector H in the usual manner. and the polar relay .124 will move its armature into engagement with spring 150. thus causing lamp L to light as an indication to the calling subscriber.

lt' the subscriber at the special substation should depress a sending key in error, he may stop the action of the impulse sending device by depressing the emergency release key R. When key R is operated a circuit is closed from ground, key R, conductor 45, punching 46, conductor -17, relay 1 17 to battery. Relay HT will operate as before explained to cause the release of the sending switch S and the sequence switch S. at the same time opening the locking circuit; of the previously operated relay of the group of 1'cla \'s ll to R The impulse sending device is now in normal position, but it. is necessary that the calling subscriber restore his receiver to release the partially set up connection. The subscriber may then remove his receiver and make a new call.

When the conversation is completed, and the receiver at the calling substation restored. the release of the automatic switches will take place in the usual manner. The polar relay at the same time returns to n0rmal and opens the circuit of lamp L.

If the called line has been busy the calling subscriber would have been advised of the fact in the usual manner.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with a live digit system, it is to be understood that it is equally applicable in a system of any size. If a certain sending key is associated with a telephone whose call number consists of less digits than the number 'for which the sender has been constructed. itis desirable that the relay 147 be operated as soon as the last digit of the abbreviated call number has been sent. To illustrate this special feature the key K has been cross connected to send a train of digits corresponding to the number 325. In order that the sender may be stopped after the impulses corresponding to the digit five has been sent, the punching 51 is cross connected to the special punching 46.

When the receiver is removed and the key K operated the sender proceeds to send out a train of impulses corresponding to the number 325.. This operation need not be discussed as it is the same as previously explained. When the wiper of sequence switch C passes to fourth position, following the sending of the impulses representing the digit 5, a circuit may be traced from grounded conductor 36, wiper 121 in fourth ositron, conductor 31, armature 52 an its working contact, conductor 53, punching 51, jumper 54, special punching 46, conductor 47, through relay 147 to battery. Relay 147 now operates in the usual manner to restore the impulse sending device to normal.

The object and scope of the invention having been described, what is considered to be new and what it is desired to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out more fully in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, a calling device at the station on said line manually operable in accordance with each of the digits in a called telephone numher to transmit a series of impulses over said line to the exchange, a second calling device comprising electrically operated means for transmitting series of impulses over said line in accordance with the digits in a called telephone number, a manually operable circuit closerfor initiating the operation of the second calling device at the option of the subscriber. and automatic switches at the exchange responsive to the impulses generated by either calling device to connect said line with a called line.

2. In a telephone system, a plurality of subscribers stations, at special station, a train of automatic switches at the exchange for extending a connection from said special station to said other stations, a calling device at said special station operablein accordance with the digits in any called telephone number for generating series of impulses to control said switches, and a second calling device at said special station having electrically operated means for generating and transmitting impulses in accordance with the digits in only a limited number of called telephone numbers for controlling said switches. i

3. In a telephone system, a plurality of subscribers stations, :1 special station, a train of automatic switches at the exchange for extending a connection from said special station to said other stations, a calling deviceat automatically generating and ice ing of a key controlled sending mechanism adapted to transmit'impulses in accordance.

with all the digits in a telephone number responsive to the actuation of a single key.

4. In a substation calling device, a set of keys, each key corresponding to a subj scribers telephone number, an impulse sender, and controlling means intervening between the said keys and sender such that the depression of any key will result in the transmission of series of im ulses corre sponding to the digits in the te ephone number with which the key is associated.

5. In a substation'calling device, a set of keys, each key corresponding to aisubscribers telephone number, an impulse sender, a plurality of circuits prepared upon the operation of one of said keys. and a counting device controlled over said circuits to cause said impulse sender to transmit impulses in accordance with the digits in the telephone.

number associated with the operated key.

6. In a substation calling device, a set of keys, each key corresponding-to a subscribers telephonenumber, an impulse sender, a plurality of circuits prepared upon the operation of one of said keys, a counting device for controlling said sender, and a control device for placing said counting device under the control of each circuit in turn, one after the other, whereby the sender is caused to transmit impulses in accordance with the digits in the telephone number associated with the operated key. k

7 In a substation calling device, a. set of keys, each key corresponding to a subscribers telephone number, an impulse sender, and

controlling means intervening between the said keys and sender such that the depression of any key will result in thetransmission of series of impulses corresponding to the digits in the telephone-number with which the key is associated, said controlling means includ ing temporary control circuits and a distributing frame having facilities for shifting said circuits whereby the telephone numbers assigned. to said keys may be changed at will.

8. In a substation calling device, a set of keys, each key corresponding to a subscribers telephone number, an impulse sender, a plurality of circuits prepared upon the operation of one of said keys, a counting device cont-rolled over said circuits to cause said impulse sender to transmit impulses in accordance with the digits in the telephone number associated with the operated key, and a distributing frame. having temporary jumpers included in said circuits by means of which the telephone numbers assigned to said keys may be changed at will.

9. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, automatic switches, a sender for interrupting the line, circuit to control said switches, a plurality of keys, and means for operating said sender to set all said switches responsive to the actuation of a single key.

10. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, other lines having telephone numbers each comprising a plurality of digits, a sender for transmitting impulses by interrupting a conductor of said first line, a plurality of keys, means responsive to the actuation of a single key for causing said sender to transmit impulses corresponding to the telephone number of one of said other lines, and automatic switches responsive to such im-' pulses to complete the connection.

11. In a telephone system, a subscribers line. automatic switches, a sender for interrupting the line circuit to control said switches, a plurality of keys, means for operating said sender to set all said switches responsive to the actuation of a single key, and means for placing a shunt around the telephone instrument on said line while the sender is controlling said switches.

12. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, a set of keys, an impulse sender, means controlled by each key for causing said sender to transmit a complete telephone number, said keys being normally inefiective to control said sender when actuated, and a relay in series with the said line energized when the receiver is removed to render said keys effective.

13. A calling device for automatic telephone systems, comprising a group of keys, relays controlled by said keys, each relay having means for preparing a plurality of circuits, a sending device, a counting switch controlling said sending device, a sequence switch for placing said counting switch under thecontrol of the several circuits associated with any relay successively, means for starting said sending device responsive to the actuation of any key, means whereby the sending device controls the counting switch,

and means whereby the counting switch controls the sequence switch.

14. In a telephone system, a plurality of subscribers. stations, a special station, a train of automatic switches at the exchange for extendinga connection from said special station to said other stations, a calling device at said special station operable in accordance with the digits in any called telephone number for generating series of impulses to control said switches, a second calling device at said special station having means for transmitting impulses in accordll ll ance with the digits in only a limited number of called telephone numbers for controlling; said switches, a supervisory lamp at said special station, and means operable when the called party answers for lighting said lamp as an indication to the calling party.

In a substation calling device, a set of keys, each key corresponding to a subscribers telephone number, an impulse sender. controlling means intervening between the said keys and sender such that the depression ct any key will result in the transmission of series of impulses corre sponding' to the digits in the telephone numher with which the key is associated, an emergency release key, and means responsive to the depressing of Said release key while said sender is operating for restoring said sender to normal position.

16. In a telephone system, an impulse sender comprising a rotary switch having a single wiper and only a single set of contacts accessible to said wiper, said switch adapted to rotate and release a plurality of times during the transmission of a series of impulses, a set of devices for controlling" said switch, a sequence switch, and means controlled by a single manual operation ot a single one of said devices for controlling said sequence switch to successively place a potential on only one contact at a time of said to limit the number at impulses in each series transmitted and to limit the Increment ot said switch orer said contacts.

ill", l'n a telephone system, calling line, a plurality (it called lines some of which have a variable numher of digits in their assigned reeaaot telephone numbers, a set of devices on said calling line, each device corresponding to a separate subseribers telephone number, and means responsive to and controlled by a single actuation of any one of said devices for transmitting a series of impulses corresponding in number to the number of digits in the telephone number of the called line which corresponds to the actuated device.

18. In a telephone system, a. calling line, a control circuit including the line conductors of said calling line for setting a train of automatic switches to connect said line with a called line, a transmitting device for interrupting said control circuit to transmit a plurality of series of impulses to operate said switches, one series for each digit in the number of the called line, a sending switch controlled by said transmitting means during the transmission of impulses, said switch operating to count the impulses in each series and including means for ter minatine' each series when the required number of impulses has been transmitted.

19. it sending" device comprising a plurality of keys, and means for sending a plurality ot series of impulses responsive to only a single manual operation of one of said lreys including a reciprocating Wiper havinga. plurality of impulse positions with means for advancing and releasing said wiper tor each series at impulses.

ln witness whereoit, ll hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day 0t February, A. D, 1923.

JOHN Wltlltt 

